Moon Bound

45

Part I
The coffin in the cave
~
Cadence
~

The forest was blanketed in black, the headlight unveiling a bleak and dreary woodland encompassed with trees that nestled tightly together in a weaving labyrinth.

Frankie was right, this would be the place to bury someone.

Tristan put the car in park, but no one made the move of getting out, watching the woods intently that seemed to welcome them with a dark delight.

"This is creepy," Erisa piped up and clutched Cadence's shoulders, moving off her seat. "Not only are we doing this at night, but with a nocturnal creature. All of us signed away our deaths."

Cadence turned the music down, the tunes no longer offering any comfort. She clicked off the seat belt that seemed to tighten around her as if a snake was wrapped around her, preparing to crush her bones.

She patted at her pocket for what felt like the hundredth time and was met with the harsh metal. A breath sigh left her lips and faced Tristan whose face had suddenly turned grave.

"Do you have any torches?" Cadence asked Tristan.

"In the back."

Cadence got out, no air or sounds to greet her, just the crackling beneath her feet and dead silence.

Strolling to the back of the car, Cadence lifted the boot and used her phone as a flashlight to scour through the many duffle bags and pieces of junk Tristan had.

She loaded her arms with lanterns, headlamp flashlights and other items that could be useful. She wasn't about to be bathed in darkness if Tristan switched the car off to save petrol and battery.

Loading up her arms with as much as she could carry, she closed the boot and turned to head back to the car.

"Hello, Cadence Larren," a voice echoed through the blurry darkness.

Cadence froze in her steps and narrowed her eyes, the flashlight revealing a shadowy figure.

"Alexene," Cadence responded curtly. Behind her, a peel of doors opened and slammed. "I brought some companions, I hope you don't mind."

Alexene came closer to the light, her porcelain skin harsh as marble and ghostly pale, brightening her ruby-red eyes. She smiled wickedly, eyes stuck on Cadence. "Everyone needs a friend, Cadence Larren."

Cadence wondered what she met by that, but didn't dwell on it. She handed a lantern to Erisa, and a flashlight to Tristan.

Cadence placed her hand into her front pocket and pulled out the pretty necklace that dangled before Alexene.

An arousing hunger scorned her youthful features and her teeth bared, revealing sharp fangs.

"Want this?" Cadence asked, a hint of tease in her tone.

Alexene looked to the hunters, fangs baring and eyes brighter than before. Her watchful gaze locked onto Erisa, annoyance crossing her face. "Don't fret, little one, I ate before I arrived."

Erisa's face paled bone white

"We don't want a fight." Tristan spat, holding the flashlight up.

Alexene winced against the light, so faintly Cadence almost didn't catch it. "Ah, Tristan Larren. William's oldest and most loyal. Never turn your back on dearest father. Your beloved sister has her loyalties now from what I have seen."

"Shut your—"

"Careful, boy," Alexene hissed, raising a finger, "I can slit your throat with my nail without anyone realising until you bleed out. I don't take kindly to little boys that think they're men speaking out of turn."